Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I'm surprised by the following three stunning shots, copied this night from the 188th Fighter Wing's official newspaper "The Flying Razorback", March 2012 online PDF issue. These professional photos were taken by Jim "Hazy" Haseltine of HIGH-G Productions.

A four ship of A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" with the 188th Fighter Wing train during a deployment to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 21 as part of Operation Snowbird. The objective of Operation Snowbird was to prepare the Flying Razorbacks for their deployment to Afghanistan this summer. (Photo by Jim Haseltine)Full size

Capt. Josh Parnell, also a pilot with the 188th, fires an AGM-65 Maverick near Davis-Monthan Feb. 20. (Photo by Jim Haseltine)Full size

Note: Pictured is A-10C 79-0129, firing a live AGM-65 Maverick.

Capt. B.J. Ginger, an A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog" pilot with the 188th Fighter Wing, drops MK-82s at a range near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 20 as part of Operation Snowbird training. The objective of Operation Snowbird was to prepare the 188th for its upcoming Air Expeditionary Forces (AEF) rotation to Afghanistan. The Flying Razorbacks deployed approximately 300 operations, maintenance and support personnel to Davis-Monthan.Full size

Note: Pictured is A-10C 80-0166, dropping 500lb Mk. 82 Air Inflatable Retard (AIR) inert training bombs (blue bodies). The Mk. 82 AIR has a parachute pack in the rear of the tailkit that deploys to slow the bomb's descent after drop. This allows the A-10 to escape the impact area, thus decreasing the chances of the jet being damaged by its own bomb's explosion at low altitude.

Monday, February 27, 2012

A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" with the 188th Fighter Wing prepare for takeoff during a deployment to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 21 to participate in Operation Snowbird in preparation for the Flying Razorbacks' deployment to Afghanistan this summer. (National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Brambl, 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)Hi-res

2/27/2012 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz -- To achieve an effective battle rhythm, one must first rehearse the cadence of combat.

The Flying Razorbacks tested their mettle and practiced their aim during a recent deployment to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 11-26 to participate in Operation Snowbird.

Operation Snowbird, which is a National Guard Bureau program located at Davis-Monthan and supported through the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing, was established in 1975.

The objective of Operation Snowbird was to prepare the 188th for its upcoming Air Expeditionary Forces (AEF) rotation to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). This will be the 188th's second combat deployment in the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog."

"Snowbird provided us with a great opportunity to train like we're going to fight," said Lt. Col. Brian Burger, 184th Fighter Squadron commander. "It's great training for the weapons load crews, munitions, crew chiefs and support personnel. It's a team effort where everyone can get used to doing what they will be doing in wartime. It's great preparation for going downrange."

The 188th's last AEF tasking occurred in 2010 when the unit deployed approximately 300 operations, maintenance and support personnel to Kandahar, Afghanistan, also in support of OEF. The 188th deployed a similar grouping to Davis-Monthan.

"It's a stair-step process," said Lt. Col. Tim Eddins, 188th Operations Group commander. "The first week was our crawl before we walked and next time we will be running and then we will sprint. We got the chance to get used to the weapons and used to how the airplane operates when you drop live weapons and how the system works. The second week we stepped it up and got a lot more complicated."

The 188th dropped myriad live munitions at Snowbird that it doesn't have opportunity to accomplish at Razorback Range, including GBU-38 JDAMs, GBU-12 LGBs, MK-82s, MK-66 rockets and AGM-65 Mavericks. The 188th also fired 30 MM rounds from the A-10's GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun.

"The airspace in Fort Smith is very good and we have a top notch range and restricted area as well as a very large military operations area right in our own backyard that goes from 100 feet to 23,000 feet," Burger said. "But we're still a little limited on what types of weapons we can drop because it is still a fairly heavily populated area. At Snowbird, there are several, large tactical ranges carved out where we can drop live ordnance and heavyweight full-scale inert weapons, including laser- and GPS-guided."

The trip to Davis-Monthan also furnished the 188th with the opportunity to hone its skills by conducting training and logging operational experience in a mountainous, desert terrain, which closely mimics the climate and conditions in Afghanistan.

"It's not only an opportunity for the experienced pilots to mentor the pilots who don't have that combat experience," Eddins said. "It's also a great chance for the pilots and maintainers to come together and learn how to work through issues in a training setting so that we'll have a better idea of what the fixes are when we get into combat."

While this summer's deployment will be the 188th's second in the A-10, Eddins said about 30 percent of the unit's pilots have yet to experience combat in the Warthog. Eddins, though, added that only four pilots had endured combat in the A-10 when 188th made its AEF debut in the Warthog in 2010.

"This time we have more experience and leadership because we have more pilots who have gone through many of those combat scenarios in the A-10," Eddins said. "We have a better idea of what steps to take and what steps not to take."

Eddins said that experience showed at Snowbird.

"It's gone a lot smoother between pilots and maintenance because we know the routine better," Eddins said. "It gives us a chance to build that team cohesiveness and camaraderie. We all knew the routine in the F-16 but everything is different in the A-10. From the speed and loiter time to the way you attack targets, it's a lot different."

The A-10's primary mission in southern Afghanistan is to fly close-air support in response to ground troops who may be in contact with the enemy, or to escort convoys in particularly hostile areas. When not supporting ground troops, A-10s patrol designated sectors and provides aerial reconnaissance on locations of interest to ground commanders.

The 188th will transition to a more rapid battle rhythm in May when it participates in Green Flag-East at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

At Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Warthog News contributor Ned Harris from the United States had the opportunity to take the following shots of A-10Cs from the 184th Fighter Squadron, 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas ANG), Fort Smith, which participate in Operation Snowbird at D-M:

Sunday, February 26, 2012

More than 40 local employers visited the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 22-23 to watch the Flying Razorbacks and their A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" participate in Operation Snowbird, a combat rehearsal for the unit's deployment to Afghanistan this summer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The event was part of an Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) trip. The objective was to give employers a better understanding of how vital the Guardsmen they employ are to the mission and how they each play a key role in the unit's success. (National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Landeros, 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)Hi-res

More than 40 local employers visited the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 22-23 to watch the Flying Razorbacks and their A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" participate in Operation Snowbird, a combat rehearsal for the unit's deployment to Afghanistan this summer in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The event was part of an Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) trip. The objective was to give employers a better understanding of how vital the Guardsmen they employ are to the mission and how they each play a key role in the unit's success.

The group flew to Davis-Monthan from Fort Smith, Ark., on two KC-135 Stratotankers from the 507th Air Wing (Reserves) and the 137th Airlift Wing (Air National Guard), both based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

The employers watched the 188th's A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs" conduct aerial refueling during the trip. Once on the ground at Davis-Monthan, the group ventured to the munitions area where they viewed the sundry ordnance the A-10s dropped during Operation Snowbird and received a briefing from specialists with the 188th Maintenance Squadron.

The group also received a mission and capabilities briefing from Lt. Col. Brian Burger, 184th Fighter Squadron commander.

On the second day of the tour, the group ventured to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (informally dubbed the "Boneyard) at Davis-Monthan and then toured the flightline area where they received a briefing from Capt. Jim Garvey, 188th Maintenance Squadron commander, and viewed the 188th's A-10s up close while crew chiefs where on hand to answer questions about the aircraft.

"It puts everything in perspective what the men and women in the National Guard and Reserves do when they're activated or when they drill each month," said Chief Mike Richards, Fort Smith Fire Department chief. "The employers don't really understand the big picture until we are able to see it with our own eyes. This was a great experience and it's phenomenal to see what they do."

Richards said the Fort Smith Fire Department employs one Air National Guardsman, four Army National Guardsmen and one Marine Reservist. Richards said he now has a more keen understanding of what Guardsmen and Reservists endure.

"We understand that Guardsmen and their families make sacrifices," Richards said. "It's amazing to see the level of expertise and dedication as well as the training that they get. You can see they love what they do and they're very good at it. It was good for us to be able to see this because it makes us appreciate their service that much more."

Upon their arrival at the 188th in Fort Smith, each employer was given an American flag that had been flown in an A-10 over the skies of Afghanistan during the 188th's last deployment to Kandahar in 2010.

by Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

An F-16 Fighting Falcon lands at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Feb. 16, 2012. The jet, originally deployed from Bagram Airfield, moved to Kandahar Airfield because of a close air support reset that also involved an A-10 unit migrating north to Bagram Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle)Hi-res

2/26/2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Several units moving through an area of responsibility isn't an unusual occurrence, but recently over a two week period, the A-10 Thunderbolt tails based at Kandahar Airfield, switched places with the F-16 Fighting Falcon tails based at Bagram Airfield. A combat air support reset is a wing's movement of its members, equipment, and aircraft to another airfield to better address strategic concerns.

"This movement postures close air support to best support the campaign plans in the long and short term," said Col. Kevin Blanchard, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander. "The reset should provide the regional commanders' the best air assets for the environment and operations each will encounter."

A CAS reset may sound simple, but the units faced unique challenges, though overall the transition went smoothly.

"Moving personnel and cargo is something we do every day, but with the reset starting mid-rotation coupled with only a three month planning phase, plus building up certain F-16 airfield requirements at Kandahar Airfield, we had to go above and beyond," said Lt. Col. Thomas "TShane" Nicholson, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing chief of plans.

First, deployed and home station units folded integral personnel into working groups to plan for this colossal movement, said Nicholson. Bagram Airfield and Kandahar Airfield site surveys, developing a time line, and holding several video teleconferences were just a few things done to prep for the reset, he said.

"Our goal during the planning phase was to accomplish this CAS reset with minimal impact to the air tasking order," Nicholson said.

That particular goal was deftly accomplished when all U.S. Air Force components came together in a superb example of how a one-team, one-fight mentality overcame obstacles while maintaining air superiority.

"We are still settling in, but with the phenomenal professionalism of our people, who've had more than eight combat deployments, we haven't missed a single ATO," said Major Trenton Twedt, and 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and F-16 Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge deployed from the 132nd Fighter Wing, Des Moines, Iowa. "Some of our maintainers and pilots have worked with this airframe for more than 15 years."

But keeping jets in the air required looking to the ground for proper F-16 airfield conditions. Standard operating procedures were established and airfield alterations were made.

"An indicator of a strong unit is to set high standards and establish SOPs for people to follow," said Chief Master Sgt. Russell Starmer, with the 451st EAMXS and chief in charge deployed from the 132nd FW. "I'm proud that we came in as the first American F-16 unit at Kandahar and can leave a legacy for our successors."

SOPs won't be the only evidence of the F-16s move to Kandahar. Extra personnel and Airfield upgrades, two full-time sweepers and three new sweeping machines, are a must to mitigate foreign object damage and maintain the F-16s mission capability.Additional FOD procedures, such as expanding flight line perimeters and increased FOD checks were also enacted. Another necessity for the airfield is a trim pad, a vital F-16 airfield component that can accommodate 100,000 pounds of engine thrust and is used for strapping aircraft down to perform engine checks.

"We are using the Marines's trim pad because the one being built for us won't be ready for awhile," said Technical Sgt. Jed Holl, 451st EAMXS crew chief deployed from the 132nd FW.

The plan may have accounted for logistical requirements but sometimes Mother Nature can mislay the best of plans.

The 451st Expeditionary Logistical Readiness Squadron had to quickly adapt to shifting weather but still moved more than 550 personnel and 275 cargo increments over the course of the reset, said Technical Sgt. Chad Molenhour, the noncommissioned officer in charge of logistics plans.

While the sheer numbers and intricacies of this reset could overwhelm some, members stayed focused on the bottom line.

"We are here to support the ground commanders, and hopefully with no friendly losses or collateral damage," said Maj. Aleksander Lied, 451st Expeditionary Operations Squadron pilot and monitor deployed from the 124 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron under the 132nd FW. "In doing so we would've effectively accomplished our mission."

The 188th Fighter Wing (Arkansas Air National Guard), Fort Smith, deployed approximately 300 Airmen and an undisclosed number of their A-10Cs to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, to participate in Operation Snowbird in preparation for the Flying Razorbacks' deployment to Afghanistan this summer. On their Facebook page, 188th Fighter Wing Public Affairs released a lot of related pictures and also two video clips. Don't miss this very interesting stuff!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

It's not a fake!!! Christine Eckfeld, wife of Gregory Eckfeld, 442nd Fighter Wing vice commander, weared this very cool t-shirt when UCM faculty toured the 442nd FW at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Feb. 17, 2012. It seems to me this inscription is a parody of Desperate Housewives, an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Full picture:

Madelyn Ray waves hello to an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot while visiting Osan Air Base's traffic control tower Feb. 17, 2012. Madelyn is an honorary Pilot-for-a-Day, which consisted of touring the flightline and learning about the combat capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10. Madelyn toured two fighter squadrons and the air traffic control tower, and flew in a simulator as part of her day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres)Hi-res

Note: Madelyn wears the 25th Fighter Squadron patch.

2/21/2012 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Standing just over 4 feet tall, Madelyn Ray walks through the fighter squadron with a big smile as she prepares herself to become an honorary Pilot-for-a-Day here Feb. 17.

Touring two fighter squadrons and an air traffic control tower, and shooting the enemy in the flight simulator where she was eluded to as a "natural" were all a part of her big day as a flyer.

For her father, Master Sgt. Jerry Ray, 51st Civil Engineering Squadron Operations Management NCO in charge, his hopes are for her to take back the sense of responsibility Air Force members carry every day and to show her a part of the base not everyone gets to travel.

"This is not a part of the base that we see on an everyday basis," he said. "I believe it's a good experience for her to come over and see what our pilots do."

In only its second run, the program here is tailored to motivate school age children who may be struggling in school, which has been successful in the past, explained 1st Lt. Lance Tucker, 36th Fighter Squadron scheduler.

"We hope that it inspires them to realize that their goals could be limitless, and they can do whatever they put their mind to," he said. "The teachers from our last Pilot-for-a-Day said that his grades really turned around, especially in math, which is the class he was struggling in. So our goal is to give kids inspiration to do better in school."

Tucker worked with 1st Lt. Erik Gonsalvez, from the 25th Fighter Squadron, to put together the day-long program where the children receive their own flight suits, squadron patches and their own set of pilot wings.

Her tour consisted of learning to fly from a flight simulator; and viewing the cockpits of an A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 25th FS, and an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 36th FS. Her visit also allowed her to watch A-10s take off and land from Osan's air traffic control tower, where a wave to an incoming pilot landed her a return "wiggle-waggle" from the Thunderbolt.

With two impressive aircraft at her reach, her favorite plane the A-10 left an impression, but it was the 36th FS's motto that made her want to change her name.

"My new name is going to be 'Harumph,'" said Madelyn. "I thought it was pretty awesome I got to do this. It's kind of scary with how big the planes are and to see how high they can go. I feel kind of happy about all the stuff I've learned, and I can't wait to tell my class about everything."

The 10-year-old was picked from her 4th grade class after her name was submitted in a drawing.

"I was excited, kind of nervous and really happy that I got chosen," she said.

However, being a pilot is going to take a back seat for now as she continues to go to school and work on cheerleading, even though Tucker feels she is well on her way.

1st Lt. Lance Tucker, 36th Fighter Squadron scheduler, shows Madelyn Ray around the A-10 Thunderbolt II during Osan's Pilot-for-a-Day program Feb. 17, 2012. Madelyn toured two fighter squadrons and an air traffic control tower, and flew in a simulator as part of her day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres)Hi-res

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

2/21/2012 - An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron readies for flight during an operational readiness exercise Feb. 16, 2012, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. OREs test the 23d Wing's ability to meet wartime and contingency tasks and survive and operate in a deployed location. The 23d Wing will conduct one more ORE before the operational readiness inspection scheduled in late March. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)Hi-res

Monday, February 20, 2012

According to a news article A10s head north, released yesterday by 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, the "Total Force" A-10C team, currently combat-deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, have been re-located from Kandahar Airfield to Bagram Airfield.

This historic move took place to support a close-air support reset of Air Force assets within Afghanistan.

As already reported on Warthog News, the "Total Force" A-10C team's aircraft package consists of six active A-10Cs, six AFRC A-10Cs, and six ANG A-10Cs - all in all 18 "Hogs" again:

At first, this "rainbowed" A-10C package operated as 107th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. Now it's called 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. May be they will further operate as 47th and 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons.

Let's wait for an A-10C news release and pictures from Bagram's 455th AEW Public Affairs.

At Kandahar Airfield, the "Hogs" were replaced by F-16Cs:

Flying South for the Winter - An Air Force F-16C, deployed from the 132nd Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, arrives at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Feb. 16, 2012. The F-16 unit arrived Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan to replace the A-10s that were stationed at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle)Hi-res

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Members of the 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Royal Australian air force pose in front of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Feb. 14, 2012. This was the last A-10 tour given before the aircraft were flown north to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Passion Julinsey)Hi-res

2/19/2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Since their arrival here, unit members from the 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron have executed their mission despite the day-to-day complications that come with moving to a different base to support a close-air support reset of Air Force assets within Afghanistan. They've kept focus on the big picture goal.

"We need to keep supporting our ground troops while still moving 163 increments of cargo, 350 people, and A-10s up north in just a few days," said Lt. Col. Steve Nester, 303rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Commander, deployed from the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

The A-10s were originally housed at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan and came down to Kandahar Airfield in 2008. Now, with the CAS reset, the A-10s are headed north to Bagram Airfield again. That involves a hectic juggling act to balance two groups of people, cargo, and aircraft moving between two airfields, but group members were up to the task.

Yet keeping focused on the mission while dealing with everyday issues such as living quarters, meals, and laundry can put stress on a unit, Nester said.

Both Nester and Lyons said that though some members had to move quarters three or four times, there were always people quick to volunteer to help out with extra duties to pick up the slack. A can-do attitude and team spirit directly contribute to this group's success rate.

"If you don't have the whole team working together, you can't put bombs on target," said Lyons.

Other members cite patience, flexibility, awareness, helpfulness, and professionalism as traits everyone possesses in ample quantity.

"Our folks have handled all this well and with the professionalism of an experienced combat unit," said Nester.

Randy Johnson, A-10 Section Chief, points out some of the improvements on Jan. 29 to the last A-10 wing improved as part of the Service Life Extension Program in the A-10 Wing Shop. Bands of stainless steel are incorporated into the wing.Full size

Roughly 12 years ago the A-10 Wing Shop opened its doors to extend the life of the A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, or Warthogs as they are affectionately known.

The last of the thin-skinned earlier versions of its aluminum wings, just finished a Service Life Extension Program, or SLEP.

"From this point on we'll just be doing Scheduled Structural Inspections (regular depot maintenance) and this will be the last one that we put through the SLEP modification," said Dee Mackliet, director, 574th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

On Jan. 29 photos were taken of the shop personnel assembled around that last wing.

Randy Johnson, A-10 Section Chief, praised his personnel. "From my perspective the important focus is our workforce has done a tremendous job on what is a real complex feat of working on the thin skins -- it's complex work and time consuming to do."

The thin skin on the A-10's earliest models was a straight skin, or two-hundredth thousandths of an inch, throughout of the aluminum sheets which make up the wing.

Later models varied in thickness to allow for more strength in areas of higher stress. Therefore, the SLEP was put into action, thousands of fasteners removed very carefully, corrosion removed and polished out, straps of stainless steel placed onto areas of importance as determined by engineers, and all of these holes and areas are inspected by NDI, before reassembly.

"The holes are all interference fit fasteners and so you have to be very, very careful," said Johnson. "Our guys are just wonderful in taking these wings that have seen so many missions, getting them in here, rebuilt, beefed up and sending them back out to the war-fighter."

Gene Taylor, 533rd CMMXS Structural Flight Chief, added his take on things: "It's more than that. I have a lot of sheet metal guys. And it's more than the sheet metal guys. The sheet metal guys are involved in that one hole and the "eye" guys are involved in that hole, the machine shop also has a task that they need to complete with the hole and then engineering is involved.

"It's a bit like an orchestra," Taylor continued. "Everybody plays their part."

Not all wings made the grade. Upon first evaluation after being brought into the shop, some have to be condemned.

Taylor said, "The fact that the A-10 was first made (approximately 34 years ago) and it's been used for much longer than it was intended to last, and here we are all these years later and we've kept it going on the sweat and effort of our mechanics and the folks working with the wing -- that the airframe has been contained is a huge testament to the airframe (itself)," he said.

Johnson praised his personnel for often working 10 hours a day, six days a week, sometimes seven days a week, for a decade on the program. Even the tools used on the aircraft had to be rebuilt requiring great skill, engineering and machine shop support.

The aircraft had been mothballed some years prior to Desert Storm and then were brought back out because of their superior use in close air support, and ergonomic guns that can go 360 degrees around.

Said Taylor, "When I was flying C-130s, we used to get some external support. We loved having A-10s there because they could hang right with us. They were perfect escorts. Anything that was moving on the ground that was a threat, they could immediately neutralize it."

Even with a leaner force, A-10s are still to be employed in the future Air Force. These beefed up wings, and a program for new wings, mean there will be parts available for their supply.

Randy Johnson (far right), A-10 Section Chief, and A-10 Wing Shop personnel pose for a photo with the last A-10 wing to go through the SLEP conversion. The wing, up on racks, can barely be seen on either side of the second row of personnel.Full size

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Apparently work on new A-10 wings at Boeing Macon will continue despite programmed cuts to the Thunderbolt fleet contained in the president's fiscal year 2013 budget proposal to Congress.

Asked about the program earlier this month, Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz reportedly said, "We're reducing 102 A-10s, but there's still going to be 246 A-10s left in the inventory."

That take was underscored Thursday as Air Force and Boeing officials rolled out the first re-winged A-10 in ceremonies at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Boeing is under contract to produce 233 new wing sets at Boeing Macon. The wings are supplied to the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB where they are installed on the aircraft.

The thicker, enhanced wing will replace thinner-skinned wings on the close air support workhorse that have been prone to cracks.

Boeing Macon officials did not respond Friday to a request for comment. However, Mark Bass, Boeing Defense, Space and Security's maintenance, modifications and upgrades vice president, said Thursday the company "remains a committed partner in ensuring the A-10 continues to be a ready, reliable and viable weapon system." The comments were contained in a Boeing news release issued after the roll-out ceremony.

The Air Force proposes to stand down five A-10 squadrons, including three Guard, one Reserve and one active units.

A re-winged A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on display during a ceremony held Wednesday at Hill Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alex R. Lloyd)

HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- With a new set of wings, one A-10 Thunderbolt II is now in better shape to last until 2040. In the next six years, 233 jets at Hill Air Force Base will also receive new wings.

On Wednesday, officials from the U.S. Air Force and Boeing celebrated the rollout of the first re-winged A-10 at Hill Air Force Base.

"We see this as a culmination of several years of hard work," said Col. Chris Roach, the A-10 system program manager at Hill.

The A-10 wing replacement program became necessary after the Air Force received the mandate to keep the jet, commonly known as the Warthog, in the air until 2040. Fairchild Aircraft originally produced the A-10 from 1978 to 1982.

"In order for us to do this, there are certain things we have to do to aircraft to enable it to go," Roach said.

One of those things is to replace the wings.

Boeing is under contract with the Air Force to deliver 233 wing sets through 2018.

"This enhanced wing assembly will give the A-10 new strength and a new foundation for its continued service into 2040," said Mark Bass, maintenance, modifications and upgrades vice president and general manager for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

"Boeing remains a committed partner in ensuring that the A-10 continues to be a ready, reliable and viable weapon system for the U.S. Air Force."

Roach said the Air Force tried refurbishing the wings, but, about 50 percent of the time, the wing had to be condemned. The process of replacing the wing is more effective, he said.

Boeing produces the wing sets at the company's production facility in Macon, Ga., with partner Korean Aerospace Industries. Then they deliver the wings to the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill.

Then the 309th Maintenance Wing replaces the wing, an integral process that Roach said takes five to six months. The maintenance wing currently is working on replacing wings on four other A-10s.

Roach said the A-10 is a premier air-to-ground weapon system for the Air Force and is currently being used extensively in Afghanistan.

"If you're any ground troop, Army or Marine, the A-10 is what (you) want to see," Roach said.

Major Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, adjutant general of Michigan, makes a point during a Feb. 17, 2012, news conference at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. Vadnais spoke about the value the National Guard provides to the nation and the key role the Guard plays in national defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by John S. Swanson)Hi-res

2/17/2012 - SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- A strong militia makes for a strong America, Michigan's top soldier said today.

And Major Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais aims to keep it that way.

Vadnais, the adjutant general of Michigan's Army and Air National Guard, is seeking to maintain the current levels of personnel, aircraft and mission assignments in Michigan - possibly seeking to grow those numbers - even in the face of overall declines in the nation's military spending.

"Put simply, it makes the most economic sense for our nation to put more of its resources into the National Guard, rather than the active duty force," the general said during a Feb. 17, 2012, news conference at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

During the news conference, the general pointed out that the total cost of operating a squadron of 24 A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft in an Air National Guard unit is about $26 million per year. The same squadron in an active duty Air Force unit costs about $52 million per year - almost exactly twice as much.

The Air Guard's 127th Wing flies A-10s at Selfridge, but that unit, the 107th Fighter Squadron and its various supporting elements, is scheduled to be eliminated as part of an Air Force plan to reduce the number of A-10s in the overall inventory. That plan, along with a plan to eliminate a squadron of cargo aircraft slated to locate at a base in Battle Creek, Mich., will eliminate about 630 jobs in the Michigan Air National Guard - about a quarter of the total positions in the organization.

"The loss of the A-10 squadron at Selfridge air National Guard Base would be detrimental to the entire area," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, one of several local elected and community leaders who attended Vadnais' news conference in a show of support for local Airmen. "Hundreds of jobs would be eliminated as a result of the plan, causing economic hardship to local families."

As the general spoke at Selfridge, a pair of A-10s were preparing to fly on a training mission. The pilots, engine mechanics, weapons loaders, crew chiefs and related A-10 personnel from Selfridge recently returned home after a 4-month deployment in Afghanistan. The 325 or so personnel who participated in that deployment have resumed a regular training schedule at the base, even in light of proposed cuts to their organization, to be ready to answer the next call.

Elsewhere on the base, Airmen from the Michigan Air National Guard's KC-135 Stratotanker unit, the 171st Air Refueling Squadron, are packing up to leave later in the month for a deployment to the Pacific Ocean region. Under the current Air Force proposals, an additional four KC-135s are to be stationed at Selfridge, in addition to the eight currently at the base.

"Our fighter squadron, our tanker squadron, civil engineers, security police - you name the squadron, they have been deployed time and time again and have served this nation well," said Col. Michael Thomas, the 127th Wing commander at Selfridge. "We sent our fighters into the sky on Sept. 11, 2001, and it has not stopped since. Our people are highly-trained, highly-motivated, and to say we are highly-experienced is an understatement."

Vadnais said he is also making a case to the nation's elected leaders in Washington D.C. that Michigan has borne too much of the brunt of past military reductions and that, with the Great Lakes State still recovering from a recession and the restructuring of the auto industry, making cuts to the military spending is simply unfair to the residents of the state.

Three major Air Force bases have closed in the state since 1977 and an Army garrison closed in 2005. Meanwhile, Vadnais said, Michigan ranks last among the 50 states in the number of Dept. of Defense employees and the per capita DoD payroll in the state.

"We all understand that the nation has to reduce spending. We get that. We are taxpayers, too," Vadnais said. "But what I am asking for is two things - fairness in who is sharing in the pain of any cuts and doing what makes the most economic sense for the nation as a whole. And that means keeping and strengthening our low-cost, well-trained forces in the National Guard."

Friday, February 17, 2012

I'ts official now: The 81st Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing (USAFE), Spangdahlem AB, Germany, have been identified for inactivation in fiscal year 2013.

On Thursday, the Pentagon released additional details about planned reductions in the U.S. military presence in Europe as part of a budget-cutting drive.

One of the changes: Deactivate the 81st Fighter Squadron of A-10 aircraft at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, during 2013. The change will affect about 525 U.S. airmen, who will be reassigned based on the needs of the Air Force.

Spangdahlem A-10 squadron to shut down

The Air Force will lose an A-10 squadron in Germany as well as an air control squadron in Italy as part of proposed budget cuts in fiscal 2013, a senior defense official said Thursday.

The 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, would be inactivated under the Air Force's plan, eliminating 20 A-10s and 525 airmen's positions. The 603rd Air Control Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy, would also be cut along with 336 positions.

The defense official, speaking to reporters on background during a press briefing, said the U.S. plans to reduce its force numbers in Europe from 80,000 to 70,000 over the next five years. Those cuts include the loss of two Army brigades and 2,500 soldiers in Germany.

Force structure changes hit 52nd Fighter Wing

2/17/2012 - SPANGDHALEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz announced detailed force structure changes to take effect in Fiscal Year 2013 at a press conference at the Pentagon Feb. 3.

The Air Force will cut 286 aircraft to include 123 fighters, 133 mobility aircraft and 30 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms. Among the fighter aircraft that will be retired are 102 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, and this reduction includes the A-10s of the 81st Fighter Squadron.

According to the USAF Force Structure Changes: Sustaining Readiness and Modernizing the Total Force white paper, [Air Force leadership] has accepted the risk in our Combat Air Forces by retiring or reclassifying aircraft from seven squadrons: five A-10 squadrons, one F-16 squadron and one training/support coded F-15 Aggressor squadron.

"There are still going to be 246 A-10s left in the inventory," Schwartz said. "We are doing close-air support with B-52s, with B-1s, certainly with F-16s and F-15s and AC-130 gunships."

The bottom line, he said, is there are plenty of assets that can deliver pinpoint close-air support.

"The United States Army and the United States Marine Corps and our own battlefield Airmen can rely on having plenty of close-air support provided by the United States Air Force from above," the general said.

These force structure changes mean a reduction of 9,000 Airmen - 3,900 active duty, 5,100 Air Guardsmen and 900 Air Force Reservists. Officials expect all these reductions can be made voluntarily.

Even though the Panthers have been identified as the overseas A-10 squadron to be retired, Col. Chris Weggeman, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, says the future of Spangdahlem AB still remains bright.

"As a service, we've been opening and closing squadrons for more than 60 years in response to the demands of time, and our base has weathered these storms along the way," he said.

The colonel also stressed that regardless of the type and number of aircraft assigned to the wing, "we have a massive capacity to provide ready and responsive combat power around the globe as recently demonstrated during Operation Odyssey Dawn."

The colonel equated the change to a smart tablet or phone with a robust capacity to support people during their daily lives by adding and subtracting a multitude of "apps" to meet individual needs.

"Spangdahlem will continue to be that smart tablet or phone," he said. "What the Air Force will continue to do is change the 'apps' we're running to ensure the greatest capability and capacity exists for us to achieve enduring mission success.

"The mighty Saber nation remains a strong and vital part of our U.S. Air Forces in Europe arsenal in the Eifel thanks to the dedication, strength and flexibility of our German-American friendship ... dare I say no one comes close!"

For more information on service changes or the Fiscal Year 2013 budget announced Feb. 13, visit http://www.af.mil or http://www.spangdahlem.af.mil.

(Editor's Note: Information used in this article came from Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service.)

FY2013 budget cuts to impact U.S. Air Forces in Europe

from U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs

2/17/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force released its fiscal 2013 budget Feb. 13 and stressed the need for difficult budgetary cuts to meet the new defense strategy while maintaining the service's agility, flexibility and readiness. These cuts include several impacts to force structure in Europe.

The Air Force is requesting $154.3 billion in the president's 2013 budget, a reduction of five percent from the $162.5 billion the service received in fiscal 2012. The impact of this reduction to U.S. Air Forces in Europe will include the inactivation of the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base and the retirement of its 20 A-10 fighter aircraft. The Air Control Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Italy will also inactivate. More details on Air Force wide force structure changes and the impact to personnel will be announced in March. Both units will inactivate by the end of Fiscal Year 2013.

According to officials at U.S. European Command, the United States has an enduring interest in supporting peace, prosperity, unity and freedom in Europe, as well as bolstering the strength and vitality of NATO. Despite the announced force structure changes, the U.S. will maintain a robust military presence in Europe.

Budget reductions affect the entire Department of Defense and according to Maj. Gen. Edward L. Bolton Jr., the deputy assistant secretary for budget, "The Air Force made some very difficult choices. But it was our priority to tightly align with the new strategy and also stay within the fiscal environment as a result of the realities we are facing economically."

The Air Force Strategic Choices and Budget Priorities paper, released by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Jan. 27, calls for streamlining of the force, making it smaller and more efficient with care to not create a hollow force.

While the Air Force is working to adjust to a new strategic environment, the Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe emphasized the continuing importance of USAFE's forward presence.

"Despite the changes to our force structure and budget, close cooperation with Europe remains key to our national security strategy, and USAFE is a major part of that," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "We are strategically located and provide critical capabilities to NATO, EUCOM, AFRICOM and CENTCOM. From mobility, to communications, to logistics, to command and control, to contingency response ... USAFE remains vital."

Under the Budget Control Act, the Department of Defense is required to reduce expenditures by $487 billion over the next 10 years with a reduction of $259 billion over the next five.

"It is worth noting that our budget has reduced by 12 percent in real terms since FY09," Bolton said. "So we have seen a consistent trend of reductions in the budget.

"The Air Force budget portion of the Budget Control Act reductions over the next five years is $54 billion," Bolton said.

The Air Force's portion is not a result of simply dividing responsibility between the services. Instead, the budget amount is strategy driven, while maintaining a properly equipped force with the ability to deter, deny and defeat an opportunistic aggressor in a combined campaign anytime, anywhere, he added.

"The strategy requires a different force structure and different tools; the Air Force is realigning the total force to address the future," Bolton said.

The service has drawn down many times in the past, but never as a nation still at war. Previous size reductions focused more on maintaining force structure, which left the Air Force with a hollow force, he said.

"It is really about balancing risk among the themes of force structure, readiness, modernization and taking care of our people," Bolton said. "We have sized the force to the strategy within the fiscal constraints we are facing."

The Air Force is looking at a nearly $3 billion reduction in procurement cost because the service divested and is purchasing less hardware. Also, there is a reduction of about $500 million in research, development, testing and evaluation, but the Air Force continued its focus on modernizing key components that will maintain the service's technological edge, Bolton said.

"Funding for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and space remain a priority," he added. "We will continue to develop programs in ISR ensuring we are supplying this skill set to the joint warfighter and coalition partners."

According to Bolton, funding also remains in place for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter -- the centerpiece for future modernization to be able to prevail in contested environments.

"Ensuring fiscal goals are met and fleet modernization continues are only half of the goal in the new strategy," said Bolton. "Taking care of Airmen and their families is a key component and cannot get lost in talking of mere numbers.

"We are reducing the force by 9,900 Airmen, which will reduce the end strength of active duty, Guard and Reserve to around a 501,000 total force," he said. "This allows us to appropriately size the force structure to the strategy and hardware we are going to have in the inventory."

The Air Force is proposing a 1.7 percent military pay raise in fiscal 2013 and a 4.2 percent raise in basic allowance for housing and 3.4 percent raise in the basic allowance for subsistence as a continuing growth of compensation for service.

"We are budgeting more than $700 million for family programs including child and youth programs and child development centers," Bolton said. "We will continue to take care of our folks; we just need to ensure it is being done efficiently under tighter fiscal constraints."

Housing is a key ingredient to taking care of Airmen and the Air Force is close to reaching its goal of 53,000 privatized housing units force-wide with over 40,000 units in place and the remaining units to be ready in fiscal 2013.

"We've increased our family housing budget by $93 million and this will allow us to meet our goal," Bolton said. "Completing this transition is important because we have found through privatization we are able to increase the quality of housing for our Airmen and their families."

Looking back to the 2011 requirements -- military action and support in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting NATO missions in Libya, along with humanitarian support to Japan following a major earthquake -- Bolton reinforced the reach and responsibility placed on today's Airmen and emphasized the importance of providing them the tools required for a versatile force.

"We will continue to do everything we can to provide them with the tools they need to continue to be the best Air Force in the world for decades to come," Bolton said.

Editor's note: The U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Agency, USAFE Public Affairs and EUCOM Public Affairs contributed to this story

What the FY13 Budget means to USAFE

2/17/2012 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Since the first Gulf War, the U.S. has been engaged continuously in combat operations and U.S. Air Forces in Europe have played a critical role. Not only have we deployed thousands of our Airmen and assets, we have also served as an essential support platform enabling the long-term projection and sustainment of combat power throughout the U.S. Euprean Command, Central Command and Africa Command areas of responsibility. At the same time, NATO has increased both in size and scope of operations. Through all this, USAFE has steadily increased engagement and strengthened relations with our partners and Allies. We demonstrate the value of forward-based forces every day.

However, our challenges today are many and changing: a global economic slowdown, shrinking defense budgets, continuing operations in Afghanistan and the rise of missile threats to the U.S. and our allies. We're also witnessing a significant transition in the command's mission as we inactivate 17th Air Force and assume the role of air component to U.S. Africa Command in addition to our traditional role as the air component to U.S. European Command. We must meet these challenges head on to maintain our effectiveness and capabilities within a much larger area of responsibility.

Dealing with the same challenges on a global scale, the Department of Defense recently concluded a thorough review of our defense strategy and has begun a transition to a new approach that emphasizes future challenges, supports federal deficit reduction, and accounts for the declining costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operating within constrained budgets is simply a reality. On February 13, the President presented a proposed budget to Congress that reflects these strategic changes and reductions, and includes a reduction of about $8 billion, or about 5%, in FY13 for the Air Force. Over the next 10 years, the DoD will need to cut more than $487 billion; $54 billion will come from Air Force accounts. Further, within the next year, the Air Force will bring the Total Force end strength down by around 9,900 Airmen.

What do these reductions and strategy changes mean for USAFE?

For the DoD and the entire Air Force, all of this means a shift in focus and a change in how we do business. Our senior leaders, including the President, have determined that our national focus needs to emphasize Asia and the Middle East. However, the new strategy also calls for continued engagement in Europe and Africa. As recent operations in Libya proved, USAFE's forward presence and close relationships within NATO and throughout our entire area of responsibility are of critical importance.

We must also target investments to ensure we have the resources to execute the missions of the future. We will be smaller, but we will be effective and well-trained. Let me be clear, even with these budget cuts, our military and our Air Force are by far the best resourced, best trained and best equipped in the world. We can and will adapt to the new paradigm. And as we always have in the past, we will meet these challenges head on.

Of course, changes to our strategic focus and reductions in Defense spending will change how USAFE looks in the future. The 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem will be inactivated as part of an overall reduction of five A-10 squadrons. In addition, the 603rd Air Control Squadron at Aviano will be inactivated. While personnel reductions Air Force wide will often hit close to home, what that means for USAFE is still unclear.

However, this is not just about downsizing. It's about adapting to a changing environment. As Ballistic Missile Defense becomes more critical, our investment and participation in Integrated Air and Missile Defense in theater is increasing. We are also taking a hard look at all of our installations to ensure we are operating efficiently at every location and that we are postured to support future operations. There are certainly more changes to come, but we will work through them all carefully and we will ensure our people are taken care of.

The bottom line: USAFE has been and will remain critical to our national defense strategy. We have an expanding mission in terms of geography and operations, and the new strategy will continue to draw heavily on our forces and our enduring capabilities -- mobility access and throughput; communications throughput; logistical support and throughput; contingency response; and command and control in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Air Operations, ballistic missile defense, and humanitarian response. We will also continue to rely on and partner with our close friends and Allies, especially those who host our bases, personnel and families.

I know change is never fun, but it is necessary ... it is an opportunity to get better at what we do and there is no doubt in my mind that we will. As we move into the future together, let me thank you for all you do to ensure freedom's future.

Additional Info

The FY13 budget overview available on-line at http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/budget/ provides a great look at many of the efforts we will continue to pursue from training, to building partnerships, to supporting our Allies, and more.

I'm very happy to share the following exclusive pictures with the A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" community. All pictures were taken and provided exclusively to Warthog News by Randal Heller, who is involved in this program. Some days ago, Randal announced this event via e-mail to me.

Here are a couple of photos from the rollout ceremony today. I only got a few shots before my batteries died, but a coworker got a few shots and I hope to get those tomorrow.

The ceremony was short. Major General Busch (commander of the Ogden Air Logistic Center) spoke briefly, then an executive from Boeing spoke. Colonel John Cherrey, commander of the 355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, spoke and thanked everyone for the hard work they put into the program. It was short and sweet, and the jet looked great. The ceremony took place in Hangar 1 at Hill AFB, UT.

Enjoy!Randal

Please note: Special thanks to Randal for sharing this exclusive info!

Dedicated in Love

This blog is dedicated to Marina Naumann, my latest female partner who died after incurable pancreas cancer on June 17, 2010, just only a half year after diagnosis. Marina was the second true wife in my life, and she always supported my long-year enthusiastic research work on the Hog, especially since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Rest in peace, Marina.